growing up – Kveller

In the age of "alternative facts" and "fake news," my conversations with my 5-year-old have taken on a whole new cadence. “I don’t like green beans,” Ravi said. “That’s asparagus,”… I corrected. “Careful,” Yael, my partner, muttered, warning me under her breath. “Well, we can have different opinions, Tati,” Ravi sharply retorted. I know I’m entering a bit of a minefield so I tread mindfully. “Ravi, do you know what facts are?” I asked. “No.” At least she’s honest. “Facts,” I explained, “are what things… >> Read More

crying

When Your Kid Needs a Good Cry, Do This

Suzanne Hayes

The car is our place. Many of our most poignant family memories are set in my blue, messy, high-mileage Toyota Highlander — it is where the magic happens. While in transit, we’ve had seated dance… parties, lots of laughs, and our fair share of conflicts. In a way, my car has become our safe place; we all feel protected in our assigned seats, and something about the comfort of the car — sitting there, staring out the window — allows us to open up and be just a bit more… >> Read More

growing up

I Miss My Kids — And They’re Literally Right In Front of Me

Alina Adams

Senior mother and teenage daughter relaxing together on a pier

I expected my oldest son to move out of the house after he turned 18. But I expected him to go to college — not to Moldova. I expected him to be a car, a train, or a short airplane ride away,… coming home for major holidays, and maybe even some weekends (that laundry isn’t going to do itself!). I did not expect him to go for a 10-month immersive Russian-language program. No holidays, and definitely no weekends. His decision changed everything. Knowing that I wouldn’t see him from early September until late May really drove home… >> Read More

growing up

When You Realize Your Kids Are All Grown Up

Karen Levy

Our daughter is standing in the kitchen, a heavy rock tucked under her arm, her hands cradling its awkward heft. I recognize the rock, one of many carefully selected and brought home from summer… vacations at the beach. This one had earned a prime location on the dresser in her room, one in which she hasn’t lived for two years. I can feel the weight of that rock as if I’m the one holding it except that its load is in my gut, in the pressure of tears gathering,… >> Read More

growing up

Guess What? Kids Actually Like to Be Useful

Alina Adams

In response to posts I’ve written about my kids doing chores but not receiving an allowance, and about them needing to get jobs if they actually want to earn some money, I’ve been accused of… everything from exploiting them to robbing them of their childhood. (There was also the person who commented, “Way to enforce Jewish stereotypes”). I’ll admit, despite having a general case of ridiculously over-inflated self-confidence, I was starting to doubt my decisions. What if the naysayers were right? What if I was putting too much pressure on… >> Read More

Load More Articles